Under what circumstance can a Notary notarize a signature from a signatory who is not present?

The scenario where a Notary can notarize a signature from a signatory who is not present pertains specifically to remote online notarization (RON) laws. These laws have been established to facilitate notarizations using technology, allowing the Notary and signatory to engage in a virtual meeting where identity verification and signature confirmation can occur.

Remote online notarization requires the use of specific technologies that ensure both the Notary and the signatory can see and hear each other in real-time. During this process, the Notary can verify the signatory's identity through various methods, which might include the use of identification documents and knowledge-based authentication.

In contrast, the other options do not provide valid circumstances for notarization without the signatory's presence. Knowing the signatory well does not fulfill the legal requirements for notarization, as it cannot substitute for the necessary identification and verification process. Notarizing a signature when the signatory is on a video call could be misleading since it would depend on whether that video call meets the requirements for remote online notarization as per applicable laws. Some laws permit notarization under specific conditions when a signatory has signed in advance, but this often still requires the signatory to be present at the time of notarization to confirm